To exchange knowledge and understanding on Belt and Road Initiative and its impact to Thailand and beyond, Mae Fah Luang University in collaboration with the Consulate-General of the People's Republic of China in Chiang Mai and Chiang Mai University jointly organize “the International Conference on Belt and Road & Lancang-Mekong Cooperation: “Shared Future for Sustainable Connectivity” on 6 September 2019 at Mae Fah Luang University.
This conference, the third conference in the series of the International Conference on Belt and Road & Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, offered a venue for experts, researchers, scholars and staff from government and non-governmental agencies from Thailand, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia and Kazakhstan to reflect ideas and discuss the impacts of BRI on international trade, tourism, agricultural development, infrastructure, science and technology, smart city, environment and cultural issues.
In addition, this conference also lent itself to be a venue for establishing network that will foster economic cooperation and promote people to people and culture relations between China and the Greater Mekong Subregion countries.
The conference brought together 300 participants, distinguished speakers from various countries and guests of honour including the Chinese Consul General in Chiang Mai, Mr. Ren Yisheng; Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Yunnan Provincial Committee, Mr. Li Zhengyang; and Director-General of Department of East Asian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Pitchayaphant Charnbhumidol; Vice Governor of Chiang Rai Province, Mr. Paskorn Boonyalug; President of Mae Fah Luang University, Associate Professor Dr. Chayaporn Wattanasiri; and Vice President of Chiang Mai University, Assoc. Prof. Rome Chiranukrom.
During the conference, there were side events covering Thai-Chinese business matching with 20 companies, Smart City Exhibition, and Chinese Culture Exhibition.
All in all, this conference was a great success as all the participants reviewed the achievements in the past, realised the present situations and shared the expectation of the sustainable future. The productive discussion will indeed inspire every sector to carry out the fruitful projects that move China, Thailand and countries along BRI corridors toward a green and sustainable development.
